Cardiovascular Practice Test

Blood in the right atrium should travel next past the: A) tricuspid valve and into the right ventricle. B) mitral valve and into the left ventricle. C) pulmonary trunk to the pulmonary capillaries. D) pulmonary valve and into the pulmonary trunk.

A) tricuspid valve and into the right ventricle.

As blood travels from arteries to veins, A) pressure builds. B) pressure drops C) flow becomes turbulent. D) viscosity increases. E) diameter of the blood vessels gets progressively smaller.

B) pressure drops

What is the function of the valves in the heart? A) promote contraction of the ventricles B) prevent backflow of blood through the heart C) eliminate pressure variances within the heart D) invert during contraction of the ventricles

B) prevent backflow of blood through the heart

Venoconstriction ________ the amount of blood within the venous system, which ________ the volume in the arterial and capillary systems. A) doubles; decreases B) reduces; increases C) decreases; doubles D) increases; reduces E) reduces; reduces

B) reduces; increases

The volume of blood pumped by each ventricle in one heartbeat is known as: A) end-diastolic volume (EDV) B) stroke volume (SV) C) heart rate (HR) D) cardiac output (CO)

B) stroke volume (SV)

Oxygen is added to blood as it flows through the ________ circuit. A) pulmonary B) systemic C) oxygen D) portal E) body

A) pulmonary

Which vessel is guarded by a semilunar valve at its base? A) pulmonary trunk B) coronary sinus C) pulmonary vein D) superior vena cava

A) pulmonary trunk

Which of the following vessels carries oxygenated blood? A) pulmonary vein B) superior vena cava C) pulmonary artery D) pulmonary trunk

A) pulmonary vein

The right ventricle pumps blood to the A) right and left lungs. B) left ventricle. C) left atrium. D) aorta. E) right atrium.

A) right and left lungs.

What valve prevents the backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium? A) right atrioventricular valve (tricuspid valve) B) pulmonary valve C) left atrioventricular valve (mitral or bicuspid valve) D) aortic valve

A) right atrioventricular valve (tricuspid valve)

Blood returning to the heart from the systemic circuit first enters the A) right atrium. B) right ventricle. C) left atrium. D) left ventricle. E) conus arteriosus.

A) right atrium.

Which nervous system promotes increased peripheral resistance and increased blood pressure through the vasoconstriction of systemic arterioles? A) sympathetic nervous system B) sensory nervous system C) capillaries D) systemic arterioles

A) sympathetic nervous system

A faster-than-normal heart rate is called A) tachycardia. B) bradycardia. C) hypercardia. D) hypocardia. E) procardia.

A) tachycardia.

What two values are needed in order to calculate cardiac output (CO) for a ventricle? A) heart rate (HR) and end-diastolic volume (EDV) B) stroke volume (SV) and heart rate (HR) C) stroke volume (SV) and blood pressure (BP) D) end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV)

B) stroke volume (SV) and heart rate (HR)

Analysis of the electrocardiogram can reveal all of the following except A) heart rate. B) stroke volume. C) the condition of the conducting system. D) the effects of drugs and poisons. E) the duration of the ventricular action potential.

B) stroke volume.

Which blood vessels handle the highest blood pressure? A) pulmonary veins B) systemic arteries C) systemic veins D) pulmonary arteries

B) systemic arteries

The contraction phase of the cardiac cycle is called A) depolarization. B) systole. C) diastole. D) hyperpolarization. E) asystole.

B) systole.

An insufficient mitral valve (bicuspid valve, or left atrioventricular valve) would allow the backflow of blood into the: A) right atrium B) left ventricle C) aorta D) left atrium

D) left atrium

Blood pressure increases with all of the following except increased A) cardiac output. B) peripheral resistance. C) blood volume. D) parasympathetic innervation. E) force of cardiac contraction.

D) parasympathetic innervation.

The degree of stretch experienced by the muscle fibers (sarcomeres) in the ventricle cells before they contract is called: A) afterload B) contractility C) stroke volume D) preload

D) preload

Which of the following does NOT return blood to the right atrium of the heart? A) superior vena cava B) coronary sinus C) inferior vena cava D) pulmonary vein

D) pulmonary vein

What normally serves as the pacemaker of the entire heart? A) Purkinje fiber system B) atrioventricular (AV) bundle C) atrioventricular (AV) node D) sinoatrial (SA) node

D) sinoatrial (SA) node

Which vessels vasoconstrict in response to epinephrine and norepinephrine? A) venules B) coronary arterioles C) capillaries D) systemic arterioles

D) systemic arterioles

Which circuit has the greatest resistance? A) venous circuit B) pulmonary circuit C) hepatic circuit D) systemic circuit

D) systemic circuit

Which vessels serve as the blood reservoirs of the body? A) metarterioles B) arterioles C) muscular arteries D) veins

D) veins

After blood leaves the capillaries, it enters the A) arteries. B) arterioles. C) capillaries. D) venules. E) veins.

D) venules.

Stroke volume depends on A) end diastolic volume. B) the contractility of the ventricle. C) the pressure required to pump blood into the aorta. D) venous return of blood to the heart. E) All of the answers are correct.

E) All of the answers are correct.

With each ventricular systole, A) blood pressure remains steady. B) the ventricles fill with blood. C) blood pressure decreases. D) cardiac output decreases. E) blood pressure increases.

E) blood pressure increases.

During the T wave of the electrocardiogram, the ventricles are A) depolarizing. B) repolarizing. C) contracting. D) relaxing. E) both repolarizing and relaxing.

E) both repolarizing and relaxing.

Exchange between a blood vessel and the cells that surround it can occur only in A) arteries. B) arterioles. C) veins. D) venules. E) capillaries.

E) capillaries.

Predict the position of the valves when the ventricles contract. A) Both AV valves are forced shut while both semilunar valves are forced open. B) Both AV valves are forced open while both semilunar valves are forced shut. C) Both AV valves and semilunar valves are forced shut. D) Both AV valves and semilunar valves are forced open.

A) Both AV valves are forced shut while both semilunar valves are forced open.

Which wave on the electrocardiogram (ECG) corresponds with the ventricular filling phase of the cardiac cycle? A) P wave B) S wave C) T wave D) S-T segment

A) P wave

Which of the following can be used to measure heart rate? A) R-R interval B) S-T segment C) Q-T interval D) P-R interval

A) R-R interval

Which of the following is TRUE of veins? A) Veins have thinner walls than arteries. B) Veins have smaller lumens than arteries. C) Veins have more elastic fibers than arteries. D) Veins have more smooth muscle than arteries.

A) Veins have thinner walls than arteries.

The right and left coronary arteries receive blood from the: A) aorta B) pulmonary trunk C) superior vena cava D) coronary sinus

A) aorta

The main control of peripheral resistance occurs in the A) arterioles. B) venules. C) veins. D) arteries. E) capillaries.

A) arterioles.

Which hormone decreases cardiac output by decreasing blood volume and preload? A) atrial natriuretic peptide B) aldosterone C) antidiuretic hormone D) norepinephrine

A) atrial natriuretic peptide

What two factors determine the pressure gradient that drives circulation? A) cardiac output and peripheral resistance B) blood vessel radius and blood vessel length C) diastolic pressure and systolic pressure D) heart rate and stroke volume

A) cardiac output and peripheral resistance

Cardiac output can be increased by all of the following except A) decreasing ejection fraction. B) decreasing end systolic volume. C) increasing stroke volume. D) increasing ejection fraction. E) increasing heart rate.

A) decreasing ejection fraction.

Which of the following volumes should be the greatest? A) end-diastolic volume (EDV) B) end-diastolic volume (EDV) - end systolic volume (ESV) C) end-systolic volume (ESV) D) stroke volume (SV)

A) end-diastolic volume (EDV)

The pulmonary circuit involves blood flow from the heart to and from the: A) lungs B) body C) liver D) brain

A) lungs

Central chemoreceptors detect a decrease in pH in interstitial fluids in the brain. What is the response of the medulla to maintain delivery of oxygen to cells? A) A feedback loop is initiated that indirectly increases parasympathetic activity which results in vasoconstriction and a rise in blood pressure. B) A feedback loop is initiated that indirectly increases sympathetic activity which results in vasoconstriction and a rise in blood pressure. C) A feedback loop is initiated that indirectly decreases sympathetic activity which results in vasodilation and a decrease in blood pressure. D) A feedback loop is initiated that indirectly increases parasympathetic activity which results in vasodilation and a decrease in blood pressure.

B) A feedback loop is initiated that indirectly increases sympathetic activity which results in vasoconstriction and a rise in blood pressure.

The first heart sound is heard when the A) AV valves open. B) AV valves close. C) semilunar valves close. D) atria contract. E) blood enters the aorta.

B) AV valves close.

Which wave on the electrocardiogram (ECG) represents ventricular depolarization? A) P wave B) QRS wave C) T wave D) R-R interval

B) QRS wave

When renin is released from the kidney, A) angiotensin I is converted to angiotensin II. B) angiotensinogen is converted into angiotensin I. C) angiotensin I increases salt reabsorption at the kidneys. D) blood pressure goes down. E) blood flow to the kidneys decreases.

B) angiotensinogen is converted into angiotensin I.

What vessel delivers oxygenated blood to systemic capillaries for gas exchange? A) pulmonary trunk B) aorta C) coronary artery D) circumflex artery

B) aorta

Which vessel supplies the systemic circuit with oxygenated blood? A) pulmonary trunk B) aorta C) superior vena cava D) coronary sinus

B) aorta

What vessels typically carry blood away from the heart? A) venules B) arteries C) veins D) capillaries

B) arteries

Which kind of vessel is also called a resistance vessel? A) artery B) arteriole C) capillary D) venule E) vein

B) arteriole

Which of the following represents the systemic flow of most blood? A) arteriole, artery, capillary bed, venule, vein B) artery, arteriole, capillary bed, venule, vein C) arteriole, artery, capillary bed, vein, venule D) artery, arteriole, capillary bed, vein, venule

B) artery, arteriole, capillary bed, venule, vein

Increases in blood pressure are detected by: A) thermoreceptors B) baroreceptors C) chemoreceptors D) nociceptors

B) baroreceptors

The outward force that blood exerts on the walls of blood vessels is: A) cardiac output B) blood pressure C) blood flow D) resistance

B) blood pressure

A slower-than-normal heart rate is called A) tachycardia. B) bradycardia. C) hypercardia. D) hypocardia. E) procardia.

B) bradycardia.

When the left ventricle contracts, the diameter of the ventricular chamber A) increases B) decreases C) remains the same

B) decreases

Resistance is a force that A) increases blood flow. B) decreases blood flow. C) never changes in a blood vessel. D) acts with pressure to move blood along a vessel. E) is always higher than blood pressure.

B) decreases blood flow.

The ________ is the volume of blood in a ventricle at the beginning of systole. A) ejection fraction B) end-diastole volume C) start-diastolic volume D) end-systolic volume E) stroke volume

B) end-diastole volume

What largely determines preload? A) stroke volume B) end-diastolic volume (EDV) C) end-systolic volume (ESV) D) afterload

B) end-diastolic volume (EDV)

Predict the scenario that will decrease peripheral resistance. A) increase in vessel obstructions B) increase in vessel radius C) increase in vessel length D) increase in blood viscosity

B) increase in vessel radius

Which organ(s) regulate blood volume by altering the amount of fluid released in urine? A) spleen B) kidneys C) pancreas D) liver

B) kidneys

When the semilunar valves close, the AV valves then A) close. B) open. C) make the third heart sound. D) contract. E) prolapse.

B) open.

Each of the following factors will increase cardiac output except increased A) venous return. B) parasympathetic stimulation. C) sympathetic stimulation. D) heart rate. E) force of contraction.

B) parasympathetic stimulation.

Afterload is described as: A) the ability to generate tension. B) the force the ventricles must overcome to eject blood into their respective arteries. C) the length or degree of stretch of the sarcomeres in the ventricular cells before they contract. D) the amount of blood that has drained into the ventricle by the end of the filling phase.

B) the force the ventricles must overcome to eject blood into their respective arteries.

Place the following parts of the cardiac conduction system in the order in which they transmit the action potential. 1) atrioventricular (AV) bundle 2) Purkinje fibers 3) sinoatrial (SA) node 4) right and left bundle branches 5) contractile cells of cardiac muscle tissue 6) atrioventricular (AV) node A) 3, 1, 6, 4, 2, 5 B) 3, 1, 6, 4, 5, 2 C) 3, 6, 1, 4, 2, 5 D) 3, 6, 4, 1, 2, 5

C) 3, 6, 1, 4, 2, 5

The following is a list of vessels and structures that are associated with the heart. What is the correct order for the flow of blood entering from the systemic circulation? 1. right atrium 2. left atrium 3. right ventricle 4. left ventricle 5. venae cavae 6. aorta 7. pulmonary trunk 8. pulmonary veins A) 1, 2, 7, 8, 3, 4, 6, 5 B) 1, 7, 3, 8, 2, 4, 6, 5 C) 5, 1, 3, 7, 8, 2, 4, 6 D) 5, 3, 1, 7, 8, 4, 2, 6 E) 5, 1, 3, 8, 7, 2, 4, 6

C) 5, 1, 3, 7, 8, 2, 4, 6

Select the correct relationship between peripheral resistance and blood pressure. A) As peripheral resistance increases, blood pressure decreases. B) As peripheral resistance decreases, blood pressure increases. C) As peripheral resistance increases, blood pressure increases. D) Peripheral resistance has no effect on blood pressure.

C) As peripheral resistance increases, blood pressure increases.

The cardioacceleratory center activates sympathetic neurons and the cardioinhibitory center controls parasympathetic neurons. A) The first part of the statement is true but the second part is false. B) The first part of the statement is false but the second part is true. C) Both parts of the statement are true. D) Both parts of the statement are false. E) The first part is always true, but the second part is sometimes true.

C) Both parts of the statement are true.

Which of the following decreases heart rate? A) glucagon B) norepinephrine C) acetylcholine D) epinephrine

C) acetylcholine

Where should the left ventricle send blood? A) left atrium B) pulmonary trunk C) aorta D) coronary sinus

C) aorta

Clinically, the term blood pressure usually refers to A) arteriovenous pressure. B) capillary hydrostatic pressure. C) arterial pressure. D) peripheral pressure. E) pulse pressure.

C) arterial pressure.

The P wave on an electrocardiogram (ECG) represents the depolarization of cells in the: A) atrioventricular (AV) node B) sinoatrial (SA) node C) atria D) ventricles

C) atria

What structure do RBCs move through single-file? A) artery B) arteriole C) capillary D) venule E) vein

C) capillary

The ________ is the difference between the resting and maximal cardiac output. A) end-systolic volume B) end-diastolic volume C) cardiac reserve D) stroke volume E) ejection fraction

C) cardiac reserve

Venous valves are responsible for A) preventing anterograde flow. B) channeling blood away from the heart. C) channeling blood toward the heart. D) preventing blood from re-entering a ventricle. E) regulating blood pressure in veins.

C) channeling blood toward the heart.

Which pressure is created by the presence of large proteins in the blood, such as albumin? A) interstitial fluid hydrostatic pressure B) hydrostatic pressure C) colloid osmotic pressure D) interstitial fluid osmotic pressure

C) colloid osmotic pressure

Generally, coronary veins empty into a vessel known as the: A) superior vena cava B) aorta C) coronary sinus D) inferior vena cava

C) coronary sinus

The right side of the heart receives: A) oxygenated blood from the systemic circuit. B) deoxygenated blood from the pulmonary circuit. C) deoxygenated blood from the systemic circuit. D) oxygenated blood from the pulmonary circuit.

C) deoxygenated blood from the systemic circuit.

The relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle is called A) depolarization. B) systole. C) diastole. D) hyperpolarization. E) asystole.

C) diastole.

Which of the following vessels has the lowest blood pressure? A) elastic arteries B) aorta C) inferior vena cava D) capillary beds

C) inferior vena cava

Coronary circulation involves the delivery of oxygenated blood to the: A) liver B) heart C) lungs D) brain

C) lungs

Heart rate is controlled by neurons of the cardiovascular center located in the A) pituitary B) thalamus. C) medulla oblongata. D) hypothalamus. E) higher centers.

C) medulla oblongata.

The left ventricular wall of the heart is thicker than the right wall in order to ________. A) accommodate a greater volume of blood B) expand the thoracic cage during diastole C) pump blood with greater pressure D) pump blood through a smaller valve

C) pump blood with greater pressure

Which of the following are involved in the pulmonary circuit? A) superior vena cava, right atrium, left ventricle B) right ventricle, pulmonary veins, aorta C) right ventricle, pulmonary trunk, left atrium D) inferior vena cava, right atrium, aorta E) left ventricle, pulmonary veins, right atrium

C) right ventricle, pulmonary trunk, left atrium

The volume of blood ejected from each ventricle during a contraction is called the A) end-diastolic volume. B) end-systolic volume. C) stroke volume. D) cardiac output. E) cardiac reserve.

C) stroke volume.

Each of the following factors would increase peripheral resistance except A) increased sympathetic stimulation. B) elevated levels of epinephrine. C) vasodilation. D) irregularities in the vessel walls caused by plaques. E) elevated hematocrit.

C) vasodilation.

Both the left and right atria receive blood from: A) the lungs B) the ventricles C) veins D) arteries

C) veins

The ________ carry blood toward the heart. A) arterioles B) arteries C) veins D) lacteals E) capillaries

C) veins

Which of the following would cause stroke volume to increase? A) when venous return is decreased B) when ventricular contraction is reduced C) when diastolic blood pressure is decreased D) decrease in heart rate E) All of the answers are correct.

C) when diastolic blood pressure is decreased

The following are structural components of the conducting system of the heart. 1. Purkinje fibers 2. AV bundle 3. AV node 4. SA node 5. bundle branches The sequence in which excitation would move through this system is A) 1, 4, 3, 2, 5. B) 3, 2, 4, 5, 1. C) 3, 5, 4, 2, 1. D) 4, 3, 2, 5, 1. E) 4, 2, 3, 5, 1.

D) 4, 3, 2, 5, 1.

The principle that increases the end-diastolic volume results in a corresponding increase in the stroke volume is known as A) afterload. B) cardiac capacity. C) cardiac reserve. D) Starling's law of the heart. E) expandibility.

D) Starling's law of the heart.

What best describes the Frank-Starling law? A) The Frank-Starling law states that the greater the volume of blood discharged from the heart, the greater the pressure required to discharge the blood. B) The Frank-Starling law states that the slower the heart rate, the greater the cardiac output. C) The Frank-Starling law states that the greater the stroke volume, the greater the heart rate. D) The Frank-Starling law states that the more the ventricular muscle cells are stretched, the more forcefully they contract.

D) The Frank-Starling law states that the more the ventricular muscle cells are stretched, the more forcefully they contract.

End-systolic volume is defined as the A) amount of blood a ventricle ejects per cycle. B) amount of blood which backflows into a ventricle. C) amount of blood remaining in an atrium after atrial systole. D) amount of blood remaining in a ventricle after contraction. E) stroke volume multiplied by the heart rate.

D) amount of blood remaining in a ventricle after contraction.

Blood flow to a tissue will increase if the A) level of oxygen at the tissue increases. B) level of carbon dioxide at the tissue decreases. C) veins constrict. D) arterioles dilate. E) arterioles constrict.

D) arterioles dilate.

Peripheral resistance includes all of the following EXCEPT: A) blood viscosity B) blood vessel length C) vessel radius D) blood type

D) blood type

An increase in the rate of action potentials from baroreceptors will trigger a reflex to A) increase heart rate. B) decrease heart rate. C) decrease blood pressure. D) both decrease heart rate and decrease pressure. E) both increase heart rate and increase pressure.

D) both decrease heart rate and decrease pressure.

If the force of ventricular contraction increases, what will happen to the end-systolic volume? A) increase B) fluctuate rapidly C) remain the same D) decrease E) reduced to zero

D) decrease

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism used to return venous blood to the heart? A) respiratory pump B) venous valves C) skeletal muscle pump D) elastic fibers

D) elastic fibers

The ________ is the amount of blood in a ventricle after it has contracted and before it begins to refill. A) ejection fraction B) end-diastole volume C) start-diastolic volume D) end-systolic volume E) stroke volume

D) end-systolic volume

The amount of blood remaining in the ventricle when the semilunar valve closes is the A) ejection fraction. B) end-diastole volume. C) start-diastolic volume. D) end-systolic volume. E) stroke volume.

D) end-systolic volume.

Each of the following factors would increase cardiac output except A) increased venous return. B) decreased parasympathetic stimulation of the heart. C) increased sympathetic stimulation of the heart. D) increased blood concentration of glucose. E) stimulation of the heart by epinephrine.

D) increased blood concentration of glucose.

The amount of blood returning to the heart is the A) afterload. B) stroke volume. C) end-diastolic volume. D) cardiac reserve. E) venous return.

E) venous return.